2024 will certainly be a year to mark a milestone in the field of progressive music as the first six months have seen many admirable albums released, and we continue with 'Marco Glühmann', the singer of 'Sylvan' who released a solo album in June and which, for my part, should also join this already full list of essential progressive releases for 2024. The German took advantage of the break of 'Sylvan' to concoct an admirable album for us and to take with him the cream of German progressive with three quarters of 'RPWL' (the album released under the banner of 'Gentle Art Of Music'), 'Billy Sherwood' from 'Yes', 'Steve Rothery' from 'Marillion' to which we can add the guitarist 'Johnny Beck' of 'Sylvan' and who also participates in the remarkable project 'Single Celled Organism' from the German 'Jens Lueck'. In short, what a wonderful crowd for these 12 compositions which take us on a magnificent journey between pop and progressive rock for a short hour of listening.
And it's off to a good start with 'Hear You Voice' which gives me chills from the first seconds and which immediately immerses me in this refined and symphonic progressive that I love so much. All the ingredients come together to make it a must of this style and 'Marco Glühmann' gives us a poignant first vocal performance with, icing on the cake, the magnificent accompaniment of 'Billy Sherwood' to which we can add the little solo of guitar of 'Kalle Wallner' who adds a layer to take us to seventh heaven. Note that on the production side, we are also spoiled with high quality sound (Qobuz is essential for this type of album!). Follows 'Never Say Goodbye' which continues in this style with a chorus which immediately sticks in the head, and which offers us rhythmic and intensity changes bringing a beautiful diversity of atmosphere within the composition itself. More refined, 'Reach Out' is a magnificent semi-acoustic ballad in which the singing of 'Marco Glühmann' delicately caresses our senses and which can recall the style of 'RPWL' in the chorus, then, 'Faceless' hardens the tone while keeping a catchy melodic side and the singing of 'Marco Glühmann' is angrier in the powerful parts. Alternatingly, 'Look at Me' is a melancholy gem with a magnificent piano introduction accompanied by a few strings, the German's plaintive singing being of touching depth, then, at a slow tempo, the tone becomes heavier and continues with beautiful emotional intensity. We find the more fragile side of the German with 'At Home' which is a poignant new ballad in which we completely abandon ourselves to the delicate singing of 'Marco Glühmann'. After all this emotion released, 'For A While' brings a certain very pleasant pop lightness with harmonious melodic lines, then, another change of atmosphere with the short 'Black the Shade Out' which takes us to a well-marked rhythm in a much more energetic title which shows all the variety of this very beautiful album. Follows 'One Last Hope' which alternates verses with a certain heaviness on a heavy tempo and a more moderate chorus which unfolds an addictive melody which, after a very nice break, continues to be repeated until the end of the track coming to graft itself into the head, then, 'Life Is Much Too Short' is a semi-acoustic which begins with a very beautiful guitar/vocal section and which then progresses quietly offering us a new very touching performance from 'Marco Glühmann' and an airy guitar solo from 'Kalle Wallner'. The pop side of the German returns with 'Running Out Of Time' with a relaxed side, the melodic lines of the chorus sung admirably by the German being a real treat, then, we arrive at the end of our very beautiful journey with 'My Eyes Are Wide Open' which ends the album in style with a final melodic marvel on which we are carried away one last time by the delicate and emotion-filled singing of 'Marco Glühmann', 'Steve Rothery' coming to lay some divine notes of electric guitar (see video above).
In summary, no need to draw a picture to tell you that this first album by 'Marco Glühmann' is a real progressive gem which highlights fragile and moving singing throughout the album. from the German who has done everything possible to offer us magnificent melodies that we want to listen to over and over, the whole benefiting from impeccable production thanks also to the talented musicians who accompany him... | |
